February 5th, 2012
I read this week’s newsletter from Rightstuf, and noticed an ad for the release of Gasaraki. The name rings a bell in my mind. I checked AnimeNewsNetwork’s entry for Gasaraki, and sure enough there is some info on it. The show originally air on TV in Japan in October of 1998, and it was released in R1 dvd in August of 2002, or nine and a half years ago. WOW!
Furthermore, if I recall correctly, the original licensor was the now defunct ADV. So Rightstuf is re-releasing this show at a very nicely priced 30 bucks next Tuesday. That’s a nice bargain for a 25 episode show, despite its age. I don’t believe I’ve seen the entire show (25 eps IS a lot of anime to watch when you were in school). I’m sure I still have the ADV version in my closet somewhere. But if you haven’t seen this show (stores stopped selling it in early 2000s), then I think it’s worth a look.
Tags: gasaraki, rightsuf
Posted in Anime, General | No Comments »
January 2nd, 2012
Set ten years prior to the events of Fate/Stay Night, Fate/Zero plays out the events of the previous Holy Grail War. With a new set of Masters, and some new and some old Servants, the tone is much darker than that of Stay Night.
Indeed, one of the Masters is a serial killer{!!!); he and his Servant seem to enjoy abducting and killing children. thankfully, the folks at Aniplex approach the subject delicately, and give just enough hints for the viewers to understand what happened, without being explicit about it.
Additionally, all the other Masters have very strong personalities, and their ideologies dictate their strategies to fighting out this war. The tactics are brutal, devious, and ultimately ineffective as the Masters, for the most part, manage to escape one another’s traps.
The best episode by far is Number 11, Discussing the Grail, where Archer, Rider, and Saber partake several rounds of drinks, and discuss why they pursue the Holy Grail. The talks become very personal, and serious, in nature, but provide viewers a much deeper understanding of the Servants’ motivation to participate.
With strong dialogues, and great action scenes, Fate/Zero Season 1 easily rates an “A.”
Tags: anime review, fate/zero
Posted in Anime, General | 1 Comment »
November 28th, 2011
I look at the holiday sales for anime figures, and I don’t see much on sale this year. For example, last year ToysLogic had a buy one figure, get one half off deal. This year, it’s just 15% off.
I’m surprised that HobbyLink Japan’s flat rate shipping sale (980 yen for SAL shipping, 1980 yen for EMS shipping) was for only 24 hours. If someone (like yours truly) wasn’t checking emails, he would have missed the sale. I personally think it should have lasted through the weekend to Monday. *shrugs*
To be fair, because the dollar is worth much less against the yen these days, retailers simply cannot afford to cut prices, even for holiday sales. They have to pay rent for their warehouse space. The situation will not improve until the dollar appreciates against the yen.
Tags: Add new tag
Posted in Figure, General | No Comments »
November 25th, 2011
The evil folks at Rightstuf.com are working hard to convince us to part with our cash in wallets. They sent an email newsletter on Wednesday listing their special sale items. Lots of good deals, like Angel Beats blu ray for 24 bucks, ranma 1/2 season 1 at 22 and change, high school of the dead at 28 bucks, Claymore blu ray at 22 bucks.
Unfortunately, I already have all the titles that I’m interested in. So I won’t be getting anything from this sale. 
Tags: rightstuf
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November 25th, 2011
I really like Hobby Link Japan, and have been a customer on and off for years now. Back in the day, I was mailing money orders to some place here in the u.s., and they updated payment status to their Japan office, and shipped my goodies from there.
After they changed to billing agreement through paypal last summer, I have not made a single purchase from them. Unfortunately, the dollar-yen rate was and still is too high for me. And shipping costs have also gone through the roof.
Finally, I saw a chance to buy something from HLJ.com. I bought the Index figma figure from A Certain Magical Index, and also the male character as well. One of them gets released next month, so HLJ will ship at that time.
I haven’t bought much figures because nothing really catches my eye lately.
Tags: hobby link japan
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November 25th, 2011
I t seemed like only yesterday that I talked about my impressions of Fate/Zero that I saw on crunchyroll. Unfortunately, things have been busy and I haven’t updated this blog much lately.
So let’s have a wrap of things since then. . .
I attended New York Comic Con 2011, and didn’t get much out of it. Why? Because I got there late, and was stuck on line for over an hour. The passes were sold out, and supposedly there were 100,000 attendees (and I believe it).
The only item of interest for me on Sunday was the Kevin Sorbo autograph session at 10 to 11 am. But alas, I was stuck on line at that time, and by the time I entered the convention, it was over.
There were a lot vendors, which was a good sign. But I only bought a game (Da Capo), and nothing else. I certainly could have got it elsewhere online. My $35 admission ticket was pretty much a waste of money.
I haven’t had much time to watch anime or dvds. I’ve only seen the first three episodes of Fate/Zero. I believe it’s up to eight now.
Tags: fate/ zero, new york comic convention 2011
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
October 9th, 2011
Just saw the first episode on Crunchyroll.com. It is every bit as GOOD as I anticipated!!! the 47 minutes pilot shows all seven masters, and explain the origin of the Holy Grail Wars. Every participant has a particular wish they desire to be granted by the Holy Grail.
Also, the show notes that the grail appears EVERY sixty years. So that leaves room for more future Fate series. . .
Grade: A
Tags: fate/zero
Posted in Anime, General | No Comments »
October 6th, 2011
I was thinking about cancelling my crunchyroll membership, because I haven’t been watching anime lately. But Fate/Zero is the one title I wanted to watch this Fall season. So I guess I’ll be keeping membership a few months longer.
Tags: crunchyroll, fate/zero
Posted in Anime, General | 2 Comments »
September 18th, 2011
I just picked up a Sunday pass for New York Comic Con 2011. It cost me 35 bucks, which is an increase over the 30 bucks I paid last year. I should know, considering that I still have the receipt when I paid for last year’s ticket. 
Not sure when to expect, except a big crowd. Hopefully, I can get there early and not wait on line for too long.
Posted in General | 2 Comments »
September 18th, 2011
I’m a big fan of Tekkaman, back in the day when it was aired on TV on Sunday mornings in the early 90s. So when I see an Astro Toy review on Tekkaman Blade w/ Pegasus figure, I can only admire with envy. Would I pay 100 bucks plus shipping for it? Yes, in a heart beat!
Tags: astro toy, tekkaman
Posted in Anime, Figure | No Comments »
